CHIBA, Japan – Nintendo fans in Japan were given the opportunity to test the upcoming Switch 2 gaming console at an event near Tokyo on April 26, ahead of its anticipated release. However, some attendees expressed concerns over potential price increases, driven by ongoing tariff issues.
“I’m concerned about a price hike, not just for the game console but also for accessories,” said Hidenori Tanaka, 55, a real estate company employee, who participated in the event. “Since the tariffs have gone up, it’s been a worry.”
Consumers worldwide could face higher prices for electronic devices due to tariffs introduced during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which affected trade with various partners, including China. Though some tariffs have been rolled back, concerns about the future of global trade remain.
At the pre-launch event held at the Makuhari Messe convention center, gamers lined up to try out titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza on the Switch 2. Early signs suggest strong consumer interest in the successor to the Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 150 million units since its launch in 2017.
Nintendo announced that it had received 2.2 million applications for a lottery to purchase the Switch 2 in Japan, indicating substantial demand that the company could not fully accommodate. “Honestly, I didn’t think I had a shot. Everyone on social media was saying they missed out, so I figured I would too,” said Hyuma Hashiguchi, 28, a lottery winner who will be among the first to purchase the console.
Nintendo is holding additional hands-on events in cities worldwide, including New York, Berlin, and Hong Kong. The Switch 2 will be priced at 49,980 yen ($350) for the Japanese-language version. In the United States, Nintendo initially paused pre-orders due to tariff concerns but later confirmed the price would remain at $449.99.
($1 = 143.6700 yen)
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